Water-soluble multifilament yarn and process for making it



Patented Sept. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES T N OFFICE WATER-SOLUBLE MULTI FILAMENT YARN. AND rnoonss FOR MAKING IT No Drawing. ApplicationNovember 12, 1 9.4 8,

' Serial No. 59,753 A This invention relates to the production of filaments; fibers and multifilame'ntthreads and yarnsof a water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose ether; and moreespecially 'it concerns the produration of such textile articles having tenacities of at'least 0.7 gram per denier, and ultimate elongations ranging from around to 3 These water-soluble filaments, and staple fibers "and thread s*made therefrom, have utility for many purposes, as in the manufacture of certair'i types of lace wherein the soluble threads or yarns of this invention are interwoven with permanent'fibers or threads and are later dissolved out of'the fabric'by a'solvent such as water which does not dissolve the permanent fibers, thereby preserving the desired pattern formed by the'latter. In anotherapplication these soluble'threads are twisted with permanent Waterinsoluble threads in such manner that the permanent component of the twisted composite yarn hasherotwist. A textile article then-is Woven from the composite yarn, and the soluble thread is dissolved out with water or other suitable sol-' vent which does not dissolve the permanent threads,' thereby leaving afabric made of threads of 'untwisted" 'filaments. The water-soluble threads and filaments of the invention also may be'used as carriers of very fine worsted thread in the manufacture of 100% gossamer fineworsted textiles. j

Heretofore; threads of silk, cotton, Wool and various synthetic resins such as vinyl chloride acetate resins lrave been used in the manufactureof soluble""fib ers or threads" for these and other spefcial'applications. The tendency always has beeri toward' the use of fibers and threadsthat can be dissolved by the simplest possible solvent system. 'In'recent years, fibers made fromiertain's'alts of alginic acid whichare soluble in mild soap solutions andin water have been introduced and have tended to dominate this field. However,

. not only are'suc'h products "rather costly but,

moreover, the alginic acids available Vary rather unpredict'ably' both quantity and 'in their physical properties.

' Although water-soluble hydroxyethyl celluloses have been commercially available for several years, previous attempts to prepare useful watersoluble multifilament 'yarns from these resins have been unsuccessful. This apparently has been due in large measure to the fact that those hydroxyethyl cellulose resins initially available and useful as film-forming materials, sizing agents, binders and the likehave had molecular weights insufliciently high; to 'prdvide m s 14 Claims. (01. 18-5 9 ment yarns possessing physical properties adapte water-soluble continuousstretched filaments, ii-

bers, and multifilament yarns and threads of hydroxyethyl cellulose ethers are produced'which have dry tenacities of over 0.7 gram per denier, ranging upward to 1.25 or more grams per denier, and which have :ultimate elongations ranging from 10% to or-more. This .is accomplished by wet-spinning an'aqueous solution of a Watersoluble hydroxyethyl cellulose; a' 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity-tat 20? C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, and preferably of over 2,000 centipoises- -e. g., 4,000 or more -as measured with a Hocppfier viscosimeter. The yarns made from the aforesaid preferred cellulose etherscoinmonly have dry tenacities of over one gram per denier. PrefeIfabIy'the water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose'used has been treatedby dialysis or in other suitable manner so as to be substantially'free from inorganic compounds.

The relatively high viscosity water-soluble hydroxyethyl celluloses used in the production of filaments and yarns in accordance with this invention may be made in well-known manner. Thus, according to one process, an alkalicelluloseis made by irnmersingsulfite wood pulp in an 13% caustic soda solution, squeezing out surplus caustic solution, shredding the resultant mass at temperatures of 15 C.-'-'l5 'C. for two tothree hours. Thereafter, without substantial further aging of the shredded alkalicellulose; it is re-.

acted with ethylene oxide in thegeneral manner described in Example IV of the A. V; Schorger Patent No. 1,914,172. Under such conditions, hydroxyethyl cellulose are produced, 5%aqueous solutions of which have specific viscosities at 20 C. of 1,000 centipoises or more; and commonly even 2% aqueous solutions thereof have specific viscosities at 20 C. of around'300' to'3;600 or more centipoises. Such products are very suit able for use in the production of the water-sol uble yarns of the invention. The inorganic cornpounds can be removed from the hydroxyethyl cellulose by dialysispas' indicatedin the aforesaid Schorger patent. Y

'In the practice o'fonepreferred form of'the invention, such an hydroxyethyl cellulose, subinversely with the molecular weight of the ether, as measured by its viscosity. The temperature of the aqueous spinning solution influences its consistency, and can be varied to allow greater latitude in solution concentration. Temperatures around atmospheric have given good results, but higher temperatures up to 100 C.e. g., 50 C.facilitate the use of higher concentrations of the cellulose ether or the use of cellulose ethers of higher molecular weight. Particularly when using those hydroxyethyl celluloses, 5% aqueous solutions of which have viscosities at 20 C. of around 2,000 centipoises or more, it is preferred to extrude the spinning solution while maintained at elevated temperatures between 40 C. and 100 C. When acetone is used as the coagulant the temperature of the solution being spun preferably should not exceed the boiling point of acetone.

When preparing spinning solutions of resinous water-soluble hydroxyethyl celluloses (a 5% aqueous solution of which cellulose ether has a viscosity at 20 C. of 1,000 centipoises or more), more rapid dissolution of the solid cellulose ether in water and smoother spinning solutions free from gels are achieved by first wetting the said ether with acetone. The latter is miscible with water but is a non-solvent for such hydroxyethyl cellulose. Acetone in the viscous spinning solution facilitates the expelling of air bubbles from such solution when the acetone is present in small amounts around 5% to 15% by weight of the solution, especially when such solution is heated to temperatures around 50? C. to 100 C,

The spinning solution preferably is aged at room temperature or somewhat above for a time suflicient to free the solution from the air bubbles formed in the mixing operation. The aged solution then is forced under suitable pressure through a spinneret of standard type immersed within a coagulating liquid through which the coagulated filaments travel for a distance sufficient to give them a" firm body and a strength sufiicient to permit their being drawn from the coagulating bath to successive coagulant-removing and subsequent operations. Spinnerets having a plurality of orifices ranging from 0.003 inch to 0.01 inch in diameter have given excellent results. The rate of spinning is determined by the required period of exposure of thefilaments to the coagulating bath to achieve a satisfactory degree of filament toughness; and periods of exposureof the spun filaments to the coagulating bath ranging from two to ten seconds conveniently can beused in conjunction with spinneret orifice velocities ranging from 50 feet to 200'feet or more per minute.

Among coagulating liquids found especially suitable for use with the high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose ethers is acetone, which may contain up to about 20% of water. Acetone containing around 40%50% of water causes severe swelling and weakening of the fibers. In place of acetone, other organic liquid coagulants effective in the process are the water-soluble monoand polyglycclscontaining four or more carbon atoms in the molecule, such as butane- 1,4-diol, hexane-1, 3-diol and dimethoxytetraethylene glycol; and the class of water-soluble monoalkyl ethers of the glycols such as the monomethyl, monoethyl andmonobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol and of diethylene glycol. Such glycols-and glycclethers may contain up to about of water. Concentrated aqueous solutions of various water-soluble inorganic salts also serve when acetoneis used as the coagulant, the bath temperatures preferably are around 25 C.35 0., and should not exceed the boiling point of acetone.

When a coagulating liquid other than acetone is'e'mployed, the coagulated filaments moving to the take-up bobbin are conducted first through a bath containing a liquid chosen primarily for its abilityto remove the coagulating liquid clinging to the surface of the yarn, and then are conducted throughone or more wash baths to complete the cleansing process. Organic coagulants such as the higher glycols and polyglycols and monoalkyl ethers of such glycols can be readily removed from the surface of the yarn by passing the yarn through a bath of acetone, isopropanol orother low boiling liquid which is not a solvent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose. When concentrated aqueous solutions of inorganic salts are employed ascoagulant, however, rather more care must be used in selecting the washing liquid. It has been found that ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether are particularly suitable for removing inorganic salt solutions from the surface of the yarn. Each of these liquids is miscible with concentrated aqueous solutions of ammonium and alkali metal sulfates and sulfites, and possesses the property of fiocculating these inorganic salts to a form facilitating their removal by a simple washing operation with a non-solvent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose. When the coagulating salt is an arm-- monium or alkali metal phosphate, the salt in solution clinging to the yarn surface either flocculates when it comes into contact with the ethylene glycol or monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol or it goes into solution in these liquids. Such liquids also serve as superficial plasticizers for the water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose. When acetone is used as the coagulating medium and fibers produced may have greater resiliency, extensibility and toughness imparted thereto by including with the acetone a few per cent--e. g., 2% to10%-of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol or alcohol ether, suchas ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, or the monoethyl ether of ethylene glycol, or by passing the coagulated filaments or yarns through a bath of such a polyhydric alcohol or alcohol ether after emerging from the acetone bath.

The amount of plasticizer taken up by the filaments or yarns'depends upon the contact time in the plasticizer bath and in the subsequent washing baths, and upon the temperature of the baths. Part or all of the plasticizer can be removed in these wash baths; but it is preferred that the filaments retain a plasticizer content of between 2% and 10% when an organic plasticizer is employed.

In the form of the invention wherein the filaments or yarns are'passed from the coagulating bath into and thence through a fiocculating remove. substantially all of the coagulant carried thereto from thecoagulating bath. The glycol, coated filaments. then were carried over pulleys into and through twosuccessive wash baths maintained at room temperature. The first bath consisted ofisopropanol, and the second was acetone. Both baths Were gradually diluted somewhat with the ethylene glycol; and

panol and acetone baths, when both are used, is

immaterial. The wash baths usually are at around room temperature, but higher or lower temperatures may be used. The presence of as much as of water in the wash baths is not objectionable.

Between the time that the spun filaments leave the spinneret orifices and the time the filaments leave the last treatment bath, they are subjected, either continuously or intermittently to tension sufiicient t impart thereto a degree of stretch ranging up to 100% of the original length of the filaments leaving the spinneret. Higher degrees of stretch may be imparted to the yarn by passing the yarn, preferably while still containing enough moisture to provide a softeningv action, through a stretching tube maintained at an elevatedtemperature up to about 150 C. For most purposes an amount of stretch corresponding to around 40% to of the original length of the filaments appears to be the optimum.

For effecting the stretching of the filaments, each of the treatment baths preferably is provided with an independently driven Godet unit. Successive godets operate at different speeds to provide the desired degree of stretch. The desired contact time of the yarn within each bath is secured by causing the yarn to make a suitable number of passes over these Godet units and through the bath. The stretched yarn leaving the last treatment bath is wound upon a takeup bobbin.

Following the wash baths, the spun stretched filaments or yarns on the bobbins are dried. This conveniently is done by heating for three hours or more in an oven at 50 0. They then are allowed to come to equilibrium with atmospheric temperature and humidity. When desired the stretched filaments may be collected, twisted and plied in any well known manner.

lhe following examples serve to illustrate the invention:

Emamp le .Z

the acetone'bath also contained some isopropanol asthe. process continued. The filaments leaving the last wash bath were wound upon a take-up bobbin. driven at a rate sufiicient to impart a 50% stretch to the filaments during the spinning operation. Each of the baths, excepti'ng the coagulating bath, had a driven Godet unit; and. thefilaments madeseveral passesover these units to regulate the contact time of the cellulose substantially free from inorganic com- 7 pounds (a 5% aqueous solution of which had a viscosity at 20 C. of about 1,000 centipoises) was dissolved in water with agitation to form a 13% solution. After standing for twenty-four hours at room temperature to permit air bubbles to escape, the clear solution was pumped through a spinneret located beneath the surface of a coagulating liquid. A standard spinneret having ten orifices each 0.01 inch in diameter was used; and the pump was operated to provide a spinneret orifice velocity of 200 feet per minute. The coagulant used was a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate maintained at between C. and C. The filaments emerging from the coagulating bath were carriedover pulleys into a second bath containing ethylene glycol at room temperature. The glycol served to fiocculate and filaments within the baths. The surface of the yarn at the take-up bobbin was clean and free from. salt.

The final stretched filaments or yarns, after drying for twenty-four hours at 25 C. and 40% relative humidity, had adry tenacity of 0.75 gram per denier and. an ultimate elongation of 15%.

Ewample 2 A high viscosity water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose substantially free from inorganic salts and hydroxides (a 5% aqueous solution of which had a viscosity at 20 C. of about 2200 centipoises), was dissolved in water to provide a 9% aqueous solution thereof. This; solution. was heated to 50 C. and was pumped through a spin neret having. thirty orifices each 0.0045 inch in diameter, at a pressure providing an orifice velocity of feet per minute. The spinneret was located beneath the surface of a liquid. coagulant consisting of acetone containingnot more than 10% of water. As the acetone became further diluted with water during the operation, it was replaced with fresh acetones. The filaments traveled about 60 inches in the acetone bath to facilitate the. hardening thereof to the desired extent, and then were collected, drawn to and wound upon a take-up bobbin so driven as to stretch the filaments. about 50% during the spin ning' operation. The final stretched filaments or yarns, after drying for about twenty-four hours at 25 C., had a dry'tenacity of 1.25 grams per denier and an ultimate elongation of 22%. They were white in color, substantially free from inorganic salts and, despite the high molecular weight. of the hydroxyethyl cellulose used, dissolved readily in water at room temperature.

By including in the acetone coagulating bath a few per cente. g;, 2%-l10% of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol or alcohol ether, such as ethylene glycol, glycerine, and the monomethyl and monoethyl ethers of ethylene and diethylenc glycol, the resiliency, extensibility and toughness of the coagulated filaments and yarns can be improved.

Example 3 A 'high viscosity water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose (a 5% aqueous solution of which had a viscosity at 20 C. of about 1,000-1,050 centipoises) was dissolved inwater to form a 13% aqueous solution, following the procedure described in coagulating bath were passedsuccessively through (1) a bath of ethylene glycol; (2) an isopropanol wash bath; and (3) an acetone wash bath, and then were wound upon a take-up bobbin driven at a rate suflicient to stretch the filaments 50% of their original length. The ethylene glycol and wash baths were at room temperature. The resultant stretched filaments and yarns were white in color, clean, and their surfaces were substantially-free from salt. After drying for twentyfour hours at 25 0., they had a dry tenacity of 0.8 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of30%. Q

It has been established that progressively stronger filaments and yarns possessing commercial utility are produced as the molecular weight of the water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose is increased above that corresponding to such a product the viscosity of a aqueous solution of which is about 1,000 centipoises. Moreover, as themolecular weight of the cellulose ether increases above this minimum, ,the filaments and yarns spun therefrom by this invention can be given a higher degree of stretch during the stretch-spinning operation without injury thereto. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that multifilament yarns spun from the lower molecular weight hydroxyethyl celluloses such as one, a 5% aqueous solution of which possesses a viscosity at 20 C. of around 500 centipoises or less, generally are extremely weak and brittle and have little if any utility.

The invention is susceptible of modification within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A stretched water-soluble multifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said yarn having a tenacity of at least 0.7 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of between and 30%.

2. A stretched water-soluble multifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of 1 which has a viscosity at C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said yarn having a tenacity of at least 0.7 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of between 10% and and being substantially free from inorganic compounds.

3. A stretched water-soluble multifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises. said yarn having a tenacity of at least 0.7 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of between 10% and 30%, said yarn having therein a small amount of a water-soluble plasticizer for the hydroxyethyl cellulose.

i. A stretched water-soluble multifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said yarn having a tenacity of at least 0.7 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of between 10% and 30%, said yarn containing a small amount of a water-soluble glycol.

5. A stretched water-soluble multifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said yarn having a tenacity of at least 0.7 gram per denier and an ultimate elongation of between 10% and 30 said yarn containing a small amount of glycerol.

6. A stretched water-solublemultifilament textile yarn composed of a high molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 2,000 centipoises, said yarn having a tenacity of at least 1.25 grams per denier and an ultimate elongation between 10% and 30%, and being substantially free from inorganic compounds.

7. Process for making a high molecular weight water-soluble multifilament yarn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution of a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C.,of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such spinning solution through a plurality of passages in a spinneret and into a liquid bath of a water-soluble coagulant for the hydroxyethyl cellulose, conducting the coagulated filaments thus produced through a, bathv of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol while gathering the filaments to form a yarn, stretching the yarn at least 50% while passing through at least one of said baths, and then drying the yarn.

8. In a process for making a multifilament yarn from a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose-the steps which comprise forming an aqueous spinning solution of such a hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. ofat least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such solution in the form of a plurality of filaments into a coagulating bath of acetone containing not more than 20% of water, gathering the coagulated filaments to form a yarn, stretching the yarn at least 50%, and then drying the yarn.

9. In a process for making a multifilament yarn from a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose, the steps which comprise forming an aqueous spinning solution of such an hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 2,200 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and-30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, heating such solution to temperatures within the range between around C. and 100 C., extruding the heated solution in the form of a plurality of filaments into a coagulating bath of acetone containing not more than 20% of Water, gathering the coagulated filaments to form a yarn, and stretching the filaments at least while passing through said bath and drying the yarn. V

10. Process for making a high molecular weight water-soluble. multifilament yarn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution of a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C.-of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such spinning solution through a plurality of passages in a spinneret and into a liquid bath of a concentrated aqueous solution of a water-soluble inorganic salt, thereby coagulating the hydroxyethyl cellulose, conducting the coagulated filaments thus produced through a bath of a water-soluble polyhydricalcohol which is a fiocculant for said coagulant for a time at least suflicient to remove excess coagulant from said filaments while gathering the filaments to form a yarn, thereafter conducting the yarn through a wash bath of at least one volatile liquid solvent for the said polyhydric alcohol which is a non-solvent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose, stretching the yarn at least 50% while passing through at least one of said baths, and then drying the yarn.

11. Process for making a high molecular weight water-soluble multifilament yarn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution of a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethy1 cellulose, a aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such spinning solution through a plurality of passages in a spinneret and into a liquid bath of a water-soluble organic coagulant for the hy'droxyethyl cellulose, conducting the coagulated filaments thus produced through a bath of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol while gathering the filaments to form a yarn, stretching the yarn at least 50% while passing through at least one of said baths, and then drying the yarn.

12. Process for making a high molecular weight I water-soluble multifiament yarn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution of a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such spinning solution through a plurality of passages of a spinneret and into a bath comprising a concentrated aqueous solution of a water-soluble inorganic sulfate, conducting the resultant coagulated filaments thus produced through a bath of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol for a time at least sufiicient to remove excess coagulant from such filament, while gathering the filaments to form a yarn, thereafter conducting the yarn through a wash bath of at least one volatile liquid solvent for the said polyhydric alcohol which is a non-solvent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose and for said coagulant, stretching the yarn at least 50% while passing through at least one of saidbaths, and then drying the yarn.

13. Process for making a high molecular weight r water-solubl multifilament yarn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution of a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulosepa 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20 C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and 30% of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such solution through a plurality of passages of a spinneret and into a bath comprising a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali metal phosphate, conducting the coagulated filaments thus produced through a bath of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol which is a solvent for said phosphate for a time sufiicient to remove excess coagulant from said filaments,

- while gathering the filaments to form a yarn,

thereafter conducting the yarn through a wash bath of at least one volatile liquid solvent for the said plasticizer which is a non-solvent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose and for said phosphate, stretching the yarn at least 50% while passing through at least one of said baths, and then drying the yarn.

14. Process for making a high molecular weight water-soluble multifilament arn, which comprises forming an aqueous spinning solution 01 a high molecular weight water-soluble hydroxyethyl cellulose, a 5% aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at C. of at least 1,000 centipoises, said spinning solution containing between 3% and of said hydroxyethyl cellulose, extruding such spinning solution through a plurality of passages in a spinneret and into a liquid bath of acetone containing not more than 20% of water and a small mount of a water-soluble alcohol selected from the class Consisting of the water-soluble polyhydric alcohols and the water- Cir soluble monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, while gathering the filaments to form a yarn, stretching the yarn at least while passing it through such bath, and then drying the yarn.

ANDREW TAINTER WALTER. BERNARD ALLEN PRICE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

OTHER REFERENCES The New Fibers by Sherman. Copyright 1946 by Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York. (Copy in Division 15.) 

7. PROCESS FOR MAKING A HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT WATER-SOLUBLE MULTIFILAMENT YARN, WHICH COMPRISES FORMING AN AQUEOUS SPINNING SOLUTION OF A HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT WATER-SOLUTION OF WHICH ETHYL CELLULOSE, A 5% AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF WHICH HAS A VISOCITY AT 20% C. OF AT LEAST 1,000 CENTIPOISES, SAID SPINNING SOLUTION CONTAINING BETWEEN3% AND 30% OF SAID HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE, EXTRUDING SUCH SPINNING SOLUTION THROUGH A PLURALITY OF PASSAGES IN A SPINNERET AND INTO A LIQUID BATH OF A WATER-SOLUBLE COAGULANT FOR THE HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE, CONDUCTING THE COAGULATED FILAMENTS THUS PRODUCED THROUGH A BATH OF A WATER-SOLUBLE POLYHDRIC ALCOHOL WHILE GATHERING THE FILAMENTS TO FORM A YARN, STRETCHING THE YARN AT LEAST 50% WHILE PASSING THROUGH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BATHS, AND THEN DRYING THE YARN. 